Folate
|
Assay |
Folate |
|
Key Words |
FOL, folic acid, B12 |
|
Specimen Collection |
Serum (brown) Plasma (orange) |
|
Turnaround Time |
24hrs |
|
Test Indications |
Investigation of folate deficiency may be indicated when nutritional, macrocytic or megaloblastic anaemias are suspected. A deficiency in folate has also been observed in a third of patients with psychiatric disorders, with the majority of these suffering from depression. Since a deficiency of either vitamin B12 or folate can cause megaloblastic anaemia, it is advisable to determine the concentration of both vitamin B12 and folate in order to properly diagnose the aetiology of anaemia. Hence, Vitamin B12 and Folate are reported together. |
|
Interferences |
Haemolysis invalidates the test due to RBC folate release. It is contraindicated to measure samples of patients receiving therapy with certain pharmaceuticals, (e.g. methotrexate or leucovorin), because of the cross-reactivity of folate binding protein with these compounds. Samples should be collected after a period of fasting. |
|
Reference Range |
>3.0 ug/L |
|
Analytical Error [1] |
9.0% |
|
71.0% |
|
|
Minimum retesting interval |
Requests for Vitamin B12 and Folate made within 28 days of a previous result on a patient are intervened |
